Fluke files for Dem Party endorsement for Waxman seat

Activist Sandra Fluke (D) has filed paperwork to seek the California Democratic Party's endorsement for Rep. Henry Waxman's (D-Calif.) seat, a sign she's taking concrete steps toward a possible run for Waxman's district following his retirement.

Fluke sent in paperwork last Friday to the local party committee ahead of this Sunday's meeting, according to San Fernando Valley Democratic Party Chairwoman Agi Kessler.

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"That is correct, she has," Kessler said when asked if Fluke had applied to seek the party's endorsement. "This Sunday we're going to hold our endorsement meeting, the delegates all will vote."

A source close to Fluke said that doesn't mean she's definitely running, but that in order to be able to seriously compete for the party's nomination she needed to get the paperwork in on Friday. While candidates can submit their names for consideration as late as the meeting itself, the source said to get the list of delegates who will be voting at the meeting Fluke had to submit the paperwork before last weekend.

"This was to keep her options open," said the source.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel and California state Sen. Ted Lieu (D), both of whom have announced campaigns for the seat, are the only other candidates who submitted paperwork for the meeting, Kessler said. The Hollywood-based district is heavily Democratic.

Fluke told The Hill in a statement last Thursday that she was "strongly considering" a bid for Waxman's seat, hours after Waxman announced his retirement.

"I'm flattered that I'm being discussed as a potential candidate, especially for Rep. Waxman's seat, considering his incredible legacy," she told The Hill in a statement. "A number of folks I respect very deeply have reached out today and encouraged me to run. I am strongly considering running. I'll be making my decision soon."

Fluke, a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, made headlines after House Republicans refused to let her testify on birth control and Rush Limbaugh personally attacked her on his radio show. She became a campaign surrogate for President Obama and spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. She now lives in Los Angeles.

The Washington Postfirst reported that Fluke was seeking the state party's endorsement.